Glossary

Act

is a Bill approved by the House and formally agreed to by the President
Assent. Once implemented, an Act is law and applies to country. Act of
Parliament creates a new law or changes an existing law.

Amendments

When
Members of the Parliament are debating or examining Bills they often
want to change some of the details. They can therefore propose changes
or amendments, and debate and vote on them in the House.

Bill

is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law
that is presented for debate before Parliament. Bills are introduced in
the House for examination, discussion and amendment. When agreed on the
content of a Bill it is then presented to the public for discussion
reigning President for approval (known as President Assent). Once
President Assent is given a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is
law.

By-Election

A by-election occurs when a seat in the National Assembly becomes vacant
during the lifetime of a Parliament (i.e. between general elections).

Code of Conduct

helps MPs understand their responsibilities to Parliament and the
public. In addition to guidance, the Code also requires all Members to
declare outside interest, like paid work or gifts

Constituent

Is the name given to every person who lives within or is eligible to
vote in a constituency. The Tanzania is divided into 232 different
regions â€“ called constituencies â€“ where the public elect candidates
to be their MP.

General election

In a general election the adult population of the TANZANIA chooses a
candidate to represent each constituency in the House. Every MP has to
stand for re-election. They are usually held every five years.

Government

is the institution that runs the country. It is also known as the
Executive. The Government formulates policy and introduces legislation
in Parliament.

Government policy

This is a plan of action that the government proposes to take, eg, to ban smoking in all public places.

Hansard

The official record of everything that is said in the House of Parliament, published on a daily basis.